Interview with Arno Menses – the voice of SIEGES EVEN
By Rita Bayer
SIEGES EVEN (Arno Menses – vocals, Markus Steffen – guitar, Alex Holzwarth-drums, Oliver Holzwarth –bass ) are currently on the road to promote their latest release Paramount. On Thursday Oct. 11, 2007 I caught up with Arno in Oberhausen at Zentrum Altenberg. After initial hellos with the band and crew we decided to start for the Centro, one of the biggest shopping centers in Europe - with many nice locations to chill out – where I conducted this interview with Arno . We basically talked about the tour so far but also about the recordings of Paramount, the release of BONEBAG’s debut album ‘Noli Me Tangere’ and other stuff such as nicknames, horror movies and many more.
Rita.: You have been ill right before the tour….how are you these days?
Arno: Slowly getting better. As you can probably hear, my voice is a pitch lower than it is usually.
The last two days are going better, but I'm not completely recovered yet.
R.: Did you feel so bad at any time that you started to think about a tour cancellation?
Arno: Yes, two days before this tour was starting...I woke up in the morning - I actually could not talk - that was a frightening moment, but I thought like „I am not gonna cancel, when I'm in Munich I'm just gonna see what's the deal then. I managed to get through the show that night, barely. I even warned the audience like “sorry, look, this and that happened to me, please reckon with it that not every song will be sung great.“ Of course when the show progresses your voice starts to get warmer, it's a little bit easier to hit some note, but the first five or six songs are always trouble….
RECORDINGS @ KOHLEKELLER STUDIO
R.: In spring we already talked about how you went about the song-writing for Paramount, how the contact with Kohlekeller Studios came about etc. [read the interview at this location] How did you go about recording the album? Was it in any way different from your previous working method?
Arno: Yes, because almost all of us recorded separately. Most of the time it's like drum and bass, then some guitars, and finally the vocals are added. But due to our schedules...You know we all live far away from each other, we have different obligations besides this band.
So at first Markus and Alex started recording (guitars and drums) and when they were finished I came to the studio.....
R: You didn't meet them?
Arno: Just for a short time. Then I was in the studio for a couple of days to do the backing vocals at a different studio - the small part of the Kohlekeller Studio - with Kai [Kai Stahlenberg], the other soundman. After that Oliver came over – did some bass in the mornings and I did some singing in the afternoon - the lead vocals. It was a bit like a shifting way of recording every time - but in the end we kind of made it….
R.: How long did the whole recording process take and how long did you stay in Seeheim?
Arno: I stayed there for almost two weeks. There were also days I didn't record, because we were completely involved in playing bass and stuff like that. So effectively I think - I worked for one week and 2 days. For the first two or three days I only did backing vocals, because there is again a lot of choirs on the new cd. For six or seven days I did lead vocals in the evening.
R.: Describe the studio working atmosphere in one sentence.
Arno: Professional and totally relaxed.
R.: What kind of guy is “Kohle” (Kristian 'Kohle' Kohlmannslehner)– what sets him apart from others in his business?
Arno: This guy is producing while recording. So when he hears something that you are playing or recording at that moment - he right away has a vision like „ok, this should sound like this, this effect should go over this“. When you come out of the singing booth for instance, he is like „come and listen to what we recorded so far“ and he already has put an effect on your voice or on the bass. This guy is non-stop thinking about this production - that is what makes him so different. He is like the fifth member of the band at that moment.
R.: Which song was the biggest challenge for you to record and why?
Arno: Leftovers - because Leftovers for me has a very emotional charge. Not so much because of the lyrics. Somehow the notes give this certain feeling to me - that this is kind of the song that I want to sing. I really told Kohle like “to me this is the most important song I’m going to sing on the album - so we really have to make sure that this one is going to be the way I want.” - which isn't the case - I'm not completely satisfied with it, but I can fairly good live with it. Looking back at it - some things I would have done differently.
R.: So I guess, this song is part of every show.
Arno: Well, it was at first, but it's a hard song. The chorus is really high and because of the illness I wasn't able to deliver it like it is on the album, so we took it out - yesterday we played it again in Stuttgart - it works again. So maybe tonight we will hear even a better version.
R: We will see….[laughing] Did all songs make the cut?
Arno: No. One got left out. That was A Dreaming Monochrome - formerly known as the Valparadiso Dreaming . Everyone did his recordings and....well, back in 2000 it was recorded with acoustic guitar and acoustic drums and even acoustic bass I believe - it had a certain vibe. And now everything was recorded with electric guitars, the drums were not played with chopsticks but with normal drumsticks, and it didn't have that same feeling. So we recorded the whole thing and while recording the vocals I already said “that it is not gonna work for me, I don't have that feeling with this song.” So in the end everyone decided to better leave this one out, we had enough material, more than 60 minutes of music… why put one bad song on it?
PARAMOUNT TOUR:
R.: How is the tour going so far? ….a few words about ProgPower Europe too.
Arno: Cool! Everything goes according to plan, we enjoyed being on stage. ProgPower - of course we were nervous. ProgPower is a prestigious festival, but the crowd just completely embraced us. During the first song we were a bit shaky but then it went very well.
R.: How long did you play?
Arno: One hour and ten minutes.
R.: Cool, so long?
Arno: Yeah, and we even went over it. They told us to get off-stage and we said “fuck you - we're gonna play this song“ (both laughing)
R.: Best and worst moments of this tour so far?
Arno: Worst moment of this tour - maybe Aschaffenburg. We went to this health spa and we were completely relaxing all day - you noticed that when we went on stage- we were still in this relaxing atmosphere. The drive to perform and entertain... it was there but it was also a bit like automatic pilot. So the spontaneity wasn't there that evening - also it was Tuesday night - everyone had to go to work the next morning - so both sides, the band and the audience were like „Ok let's have a relaxing evening and let's see where it gets:“ I didn't have that feeling like „Hey we did something tonight“. It was a cool show; the audience was cool, but there wasn't this little extra that you have every other night.
Highlight......well, every show has been great so far. I would say - maybe because I’m from Holland - ProgPower was the highlight of this tour so far but there are still six dates left. The audience there was simply amazing!
R: Any funny, interesting, strange experiences with fans?
Arno: With fans? Hm...not really, I mean everyone is really enthusiastic. I mean people are not trying to touch us (laughter), which I hate - I wanna be touched (both laughing). No - just normal autographing and talking about the show. It was of course fun that on our first show there were people coming to Munich all the way from Italy just to see us and at Baarlo people from Russia were coming especially for us. That’s still a strange experience - people are willing to travel all the way from Russia to Holland to see a band like SIEGES EVEN. That's a big honour.
R.: How do you go along with DREAMSCAPE, your support act?
Arno: Oh, they are really nice guys, very friendly, very professional musicians. They travel by their own, they have to build up the stage by their own and they have to build the stage off again before we go on stage. They really have to work hard. There is hardly time to talk to them. - a little bit before and a little bit after the show, that's it.
Most of the time they stay and watch us play and they say that they like it. A couple of us will also watch parts of their show, they are a great band and fun guys.
R.: What about the merchandise – everything going well? You’re pleased?
Arno: Yes, so far I think, we're doing good. Not every night it’s the same, but ProgPower for instance - we made 800 bucks in one night, that's pretty cool. At ProgPower we sold about 30 cds of Paramount and that is good sales of course.
R.: Is the BONEBAG cd available here?
Arno: Yeah.... we sold two so far (both laughing)
R.: I’m sorry for you guys – really - that's hard.
Arno: Yes, no one knows about it, it's all about SIEGES EVEN here. SE is steps ahead of BONEBAG. BONEBAG is a beginner band - no one knows them - it's logical.
R.: What about the amount of people who attend at a show….
Arno: Every night we have over a hundred people – that is ….
R.: not that much..
Arno: not very much, I agree - but I rather have one hundred people that go along with you, enjoy the show and sing along with you than having 400 people that are not interested. Of course, ProgPower was a full place, over 600 people - that's cool. Actually we are very satisfied with the amount of people that come to the shows.
R: You fear you could end in the red?
Arno: No, because most times the venues take the risk – that’s the deal. We’ve a good management.
R: You’re the headliner this time….you can play longer sets, of course. What other positive aspects are coming on your mind?
Arno: Well, everything is built around the headliner…you get more attention. Sometimes you feel really sorry for the support act because they’re warming up the place for you. That’s what they do.
R: Well, that’s the way it is, I think. You have had this role during the Navigating Tour…
Arno: Of course! Therefore I know how they feel about it…Sometimes we see that they start for the 4, 5 songs and they don’t have any reaction – then the crowd starts to get warm for SIEGES EVEN. I think, it’s a pity for those guys who are doing their best like we’re doing. But.. yes.. that’s the advantage of being a headliner. People come to see you most of the time.
R: What is the deal with DREAMSCAPE? I guess, you don’t pay for them ….
Arno: I think, they do all on their own for their own promotion. I’ve to be honest with you, business-wise I’m not familiar with every detail.
R: What about negative aspects? Maybe more stress?
Arno: Maybe – because the audience expects this band to be the act of the night. So far - I think, we did a pretty fucking good job entertaining them. So far for me it’s easier to be the headliner. People are not expecting ‘show who you are’ – they KNOW ‘who you are’. That makes it a lot easier.
R: I noticed that you don’t have a day off, you play 12 gigs in a row- then a break for 1 month, followed by another package of 3 shows with more shows planned in the beginning of next year. ….to me this looks a bit strange…why don’t you do a tour that lasts 2, 3 months?
Arno: Yeah, that’s just a matter of planning, of course. We have people playing in other bands as you know. Oliver with RHAPSODY OF FIRE and Alex is doing shows with BLIND GUARDIAN. Also Oli is becoming a dad. He wants to spend some time with his new family, of course….
We get requests from Italy, from the States, Spain, Greece, also from Russia but you’ve to come to a certain deal because you don’t want to take too big financial risks every time. For instance, in Italy and Spain the venues are not willing to take any risks. It has to be financially interesting for us, you know. Our manager Mike is an experienced guy – I’m sure he’ll organize a few more shows for us…but a tour that lasts for 2, 3 months – I don’t think this is going to happen in the near future.
R: So you think there will be shows in Greece and Italy next year?
Arno: Yes, Greece is like SE’s home. [laughs] That’s the feeling you have when you’re playing there. They can call me tonight and I’ll play there tomorrow morning if they want. [both laughing] We also get a lot good response from Italy at the moment – according to the Myspace page. I see many mails coming in from Italy, Spain and also from the USA. England and Scandinavia could be a market for us too – we just have to wait and see. Step by step.
R: What are we going to hear tonight? How did you choose the songs for the setlist?
Is Markus playing acoustic guitar on this tour?
Arno: Yes. You’re going to hear an acoustic version of ‘Eyes Wide Open’ with audience participation - singing the chorus for me [me laughing]. This is one of the highlights of the show. Really.
R: Great! ‘Eyes Wide Open’ is one of my favourite tracks…
Arno: It was written acoustically so it works perfectly – it’s a little bit different from the album version, of course.
R: What else, you know it?
Arno: [laughing] Of course, I know it! You’ll hear ‘When Alpha & Omega Collide’, ‘Tidal’, ‘Duende’, ‘Lonely Views…’
R: Can I have the setlist later on? I could simply add a copy of it to this interview…. [see below]
Arno: Sure!
R: Thanks. How did you choose the songs for the setlist?
Arno: Almost every day the setlist is shifting. First you try out some things – if it’s working for the crowd and if you feel comfortable playing these songs….. obviously the accent has to lie on the Paramount album. We want to let people hear as much of Paramount as possible. Of course, we can’t leave out the essential ‘Navigating’ songs like The Weight and Stigmata…we also play Unbreakable. Then there’re songs of the ‘A Sense of Change’ album and if everyone is about it – we play Life Cycle. That’s about it.
R: In SE you took over the front-man role for the very first time.- When we spoke during the Navigating Tour in 2006 you said like ‘all is still very new for you, you don’t really know what to do with your hands’, for instance – how do you feel nowadays…is the front-man role growing on you?
Arno: Yes, definitely! It’s also the feedback of the audience and of the band again. You see the interaction between Oliver and me, for instance, is so fantastic – it’s like being two in one sometimes. It’s a little bit more difficult to communicate with Markus on stage – he’s more introvert… on his guitar – [I agreed] – but that is Markus. I let him be. I have eye contact with him and we smile all the time. That’s the way it goes between us. I don’t wanna take him out of his position – with Oliver I can dance around and do the funny jokes – With Alex it’s the same.
When we were playing in Aschaffenburg this time - there was a guy who was also at the Baarlo show [ProgPower Europe 2007] – he said “ What’s that? You were not dancing as much as I’m used to” – so people expect already from me that I am this guy moving around all the time – dancing - and I feel comfortable doing it at the moment. It’s cool! [both laughing]
R: Do you interact with the audience?
Arno: Mmmmm - Sometimes. Well, I think, the first obligation I have is to make sure that the vocals are right, you know. Especially this tour –because I felt sick I stuck to my microphone- stand a long time because I wanted to make sure that at least the note will be coming out right and then you make sure that there’s a little bit of show. Yesterday I was feeling better so I took my microphone out and went to the audience… for more interaction.
R: so, on this leg you don’t interact with the audience that much because you’re still not completely recovered – usually you love to interact with them, right?
Arno: Yes!
R: Are there meet & greets, signing lessons after the show or how do you handle it?
Arno: No. I think, there’s no need for it right now – we’re not big enough for giving signing lessons frequently. Maybe in Russia – but not here.
Most times me and Markus go downstairs and circle a little bit. Oliver and Alex need a little bit longer…they take a shower first, stuff like that…. we’re doing some signing and talking with the people but it’s not specifically a signing lesson.
BONEBAG & OTHER PROJECTS
R: After many years of playing together you finally released your debut album with BONEBAG [Arno’s band in Holland where he’s hitting the drum-kit, singing backings] parallel to Paramount. What does this album mean to you, what do you hope to get out of the release?
Arno: As much as possible, of course. I mean, your whole being is in this band – that doesn’t mean that I prefer BONEBAG over SIEGES EVEN but it’s a different role you play there – you know, I was this big [showing: small size] when I started playing drums and stuff like that – so that’s your roots! And you’ve a long history with those guys of BONEBAG – it’s different then with the guys of SE.
I don’t know – at the moment my head is not with BONEBAG because I completely focus on SE. When SE is taking their time off and all are doing their own stuff - then I’ll be for 100% in BONEBAG again. The next step we have to do is: playing shows – there are 6 or 7 coming this winter…[click on the image to visit BONEBAG's homepage]
R: Are there already shows confirmed?
Arno: No, we’re still negotiating with venues…
R: only in Holland?
Arno: No, no. We plan to play also in Germany - 2 or 3 shows and 1 in Switzerland, I believe. It’s all unconfirmed yet though. I’ll keep you posted, of course.
R: If you’re listening to your heart…. Do you feel more like being a drummer or being a singer nowadays?
Arno: The funny thing is that I start to feel more and more like a singer nowadays….
R: Really? [laughing] I remember, last time when we spoke it was exactly the other way around…
Arno: Ja, ja. [laughing] Maybe it’s because I spent so much time with singing this year – the whole preparing of the Paramount album, the recordings, now the tour…
With BONEBAG we basically recorded the album and then I took time off. I haven’t been in the rehearsal room with BONEBAG ever since we recorded the album. So if you’re doing all the singing the whole time – you just feel more like a singer. Maybe if I’m hitting the drum-kit in BONEBAG again – doing a couple of rehearsals and a few shows – I feel like “Hey, that’s what I wanna do”.
R: What would you say- to whom will “Noli Me Tangere” appeal?
Arno: I think, not SO much to the prog-fan. We’re a Rock’N’Roll band with elements referring to prog. There’re elements of everything like Rock’N’Roll, Funk…a little bit of this and that.
R: Why should people buy this album?
Arno: because it’s a damn good album. [both laughing]
R: How is the feedback of Oli, Markus & Alex on this album?
Arno: They haven’t heard it – well, on tour they hear it every night, yes – but we don’t speak about it somehow…
R: You don’t care?
Arno: No. Really! I’m also not talking about their involvement in BLIND GUARDIAN or RHAPSODY. I really don’t care. Well, they know what I do, they’re happy for me that BONEBAG have a record deal – that’s it.
R: Did you ever discuss the idea to tour with BONEBAG as support act to SE?
Arno: No, because I really wouldn’t want to do it.
R: …because it’s physically too hard to play a double show?
Arno: Also, yes – and I think that the music styles are too far apart to have a really good package… I’d prefer to keep it separated.
R: Are there any other projects you’ve been involved in or lie ahead?
Arno: I just did some recordings for a band called ANDROID SOUL…
R: What kind of band is it?
Arno: It’s more in the vein of NIGHTWISH and WITHIN TEMPTATION – that kind of stuff.
R: female fronted?
Arno: …female fronted rock band, gothic, ….I just heard the recordings and they’re pretty damn good. The guitar player, bass player and keyboard player were members of WASTELANDS….[ANDROID SOUL is a new female fronted metal band based in the Rotterdam area (The Netherlands). Three ex-Wastelands members (Dennis Graafland, Cees van Ooijen and Robert van der Poel) teamed up again to turn their co-operation that lasted for over 10 years into a fresh new start.]
R: I see, that’s the connector between you and them….
Arno: Yes, Yes. I got a call from this guy, Cees, asking me if I’d like to do some backing vocals for the album they’re doing…
R: I read somewhere that you also did some lead vocals….
Arno: Yes – when I was in the studio he said “Look, I’ve one ballad lying around – would you do a duet with our singer?” – I’ve heard it – it sounds pretty nice!
R: Cool!
Arno: So I’m eagerly waiting – they should be finished by now – the release is planned for November, I think. Maybe we’ll play one day with them…ANDROID SOUL opening up for SE - Who knows….It’s a COOL band. Very melodic… further projects - I don’t have the time. Really. It’s already hard to combine SIEGES with BONEBAG as it is now.
OTHER STUFF:
R: Who is *Ting* ? [Arno’s credits – Paramount booklet]
Arno: [laughing] That’s my wife.
R: I guessed so…but why *Ting* ?
Arno: My mother comes from the North of Holland…in the North they’re used to give EVERYONE a nickname – I guess, I’ve that in my blood. For instance, I’m known in my family as *Petje* because I always wear a cap – *Pet* means *cap*. Or my uncle calls me *Dope*, *Dopy* - I don’t know why because I don’t use any dope ….but he calls me *Dopy* [both laughing]
With Andrea – first when we met I called her Andrea or Andy, of course - but she has a little bit like Chinese eyes – that’s why I call her *Tingy*…
R: how is Andrea calling you?
Arno: [laughs] *Stinky*…really.
R: [laughing] that’s hard…
….latest expensive purchase ?
Arno: A microphone.
R: Last concert you visited?
Arno: That’s a good one – mmmmm – BLIND GUARDIAN, Sept. last year. I don’t visit so many concerts.
R: A band offers their new album online for download telling the fans to pay what they want – like RADIOHEAD currently is doing – to what group do you belong: a) you pay nothing b) you pay as much as you would have to pay for an album on iTunes for instance – because you want to show your support to the band.
Arno: I would pay for it if I really wanted to support this band. For instance, I’ve my KANSAS collection that has to be up to date all the time. There’s my SYMPHONY X collection that has to be up to date - well, the new one I don’t like that much. And certain other bands like KINGS X - I want to have the original work. In case of RADIOHEAD – if I was a fan of them I’d definitely pay for it, yes. – just because I know that those guys also live of what you pay them.
But sometimes I’m looking for older albums like ….I’m a big AOR fan of the beginning of the 80ties…it’s hard enough to get them in a shop – so if I get the chance to download it…. I download it.
R: You love horror-movies ….what makes a horror-movie a good horror-movie?
Arno: not so much the effects…. – now that we’re living at the digital age – everything is about effects – at the moment, most of the times the script-writer is forgetting that the story itself has to be good – so it’s a lot of flashy effects but the stories are very thin. If I watch movies like the first two Hellraiser movies – or my favourite of all time: The Exorcist – they don’t need so much…. but they give that really chilling effect - that’s what makes a really good horror-movie to me.
R: You mentioned it yourself, one of your nicknames is *Dopy* - Coffee-Shops (location where you can order a joint like a coke or beer) are coming on my mind – your thoughts on Coffee-Shops.
Arno: I think that is what Holland makes Holland – we’ve problems of cause with tourists coming from everywhere… like from Belgium and France – not so much from Germany, I believe – I think, it’s good if you keep it under control – not a Coffee-shop at every corner of the street, we don’t need that – of course, in certain Coffee-shops there will be illegal practices as well….that goes along with the whole Coffee-Shop thing…I think, it gives Holland part of its identity –the whole free thinking – if that’s gone again …what’s Holland about then? Flowers and cheese…[both laughing]
R: If we meet again…. Christmas will be lying ahead…name 3 things from your wish-list.
Arno: uh - that Paramount sells well.
R: sorry, this does not apply….
Arno: Shit! [laughs] Well, I have no material wishes at the moment. I’m doing fine, you know.
R: Lovely to hear. Finally, do you want to deliver a message to your fans?
Arno: I didn’t know I had any fans [laughs]
R: ….according to your Myspace page….at least in Italy & Greece ……. [laughing]
Arno: ja, ja …[still laughing]
Listen to the SIEGES EVEN album and if you like it, please buy it. I really hope that we live up to your expectations – hope to see you all on tour!
